Youth … Grew up on a grain and livestock farm south of Hutchinson near Yoder, Kansas.  Yoder is an excellent community with bedrock values and strong roots. See www.yoderkansas.com

Public Schools … Attended Haven Grade School and Hutchinson High School, both public schools, graduating in 1994. In high school was active in debate and forensics, winning the 6A state debate championship in 1994. Also played varsity tennis and was a member of the National Honor Society.

College … In fall of 1994 enrolled at the University of Kansas seeking political science and English degrees. Graduated in 1999 with honors. While at KU was active in campus leadership serving as KU Student Body President. Served as President of both the Phi Alpha Delta pre-law society and the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. Member of Order of Omega and Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Societies. Also, served as President of the Kansas Union Memorial Corporation Board of Directors and as a member of the KU Athletics Corporation Board of Directors.

Law School … In fall of 1999 enrolled at the University of Kansas School of Law. Received Juris Doctor in spring of 2002. While at KU Law served two years as the Student Bar Association President. Was a member of the Board of Governors and the Honor Code Committee. As a student received the CALI Award for the best grade in the Legislative Clinic. Upon graduation received the "Class of 1949 Award" recognizing service and leadership.

Honors and Awards … Recipient of leadership awards while at KU including the Rusty Leffel Concerned Student Award in 1999, Hilltopper Award in 1999, Ex.C.E.L. Award in 1998, Greek Senior of the Year Award in 1998, Outstanding IFC leader award in 1998. Was a finalist for Lambda Chi Alpha National member of the year award in 1999.

Political and Leadership Experience … First elected in 2002, and twice re-elected to the Kansas House representing Overland Park and Leawood in the Kansas Legislature’s 20th District.  Serves as the youngest committee chairman in the legislature, being appointed in 2007 to Chair the House General Government Budget Committee.  Also serves on the powerful House Appropriations Committee and Judiciary Committee. Since 2005 has represented the majority party in the Kansas House on the Kansas Sentencing Commission.  In July of 2003 was recognized by the Kansas Disability Caucus with an award at their annual banquet for “courageous leadership to address the need to fund programs for people with disabilities.” Formerly was a legislative aide in the Kansas Legislature for State Senator David Adkins and State Rep. Dean Newton. Also served in a brief internship for Congressman Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) in Washington, D.C. 

Community and Organization Involvement ... Active in several community organizations including the Overland Park Rotary Club, Johnson County Bar Association, Kansas Bar Association and Rolling Hills Presbyterian Church. In 2005 was elected to the Johnson County Bar Association Board of Directors. In 2005 was appointed as a member of the Board of Directors of the Kansas City KU Alumni Assocation. Is a 2007 graduate of the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Leadership Kansas program. Is an active member of both the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) and the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)  In 2005 was elected as President of the Lambda Chi Alpha Corporation Board at KU.  In 2004 joined the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) marked by a two week trip to the Russian Federation for a leadership exchange.  In 2005 particpated in the 15th annual New Generation seminar in Bangkok, Thailand and Hong Kong, China examining health care issues in the Asian pacific region.

Career Experience … Admitted to Kansas Bar in August of 2002. In April of 2003 became an associate at the law firm of Speer & Holliday, LLP in Olathe, www.speerholliday.com, becoming a partner in April of 2005. In 2001, worked as a Special Assistant in the Department of Defense in the office of Counternarcotics in Washington, D.C. Previously, in 2000 and 2001 worked as a law clerk at Payne and Jones, an Overland Park Law Firm.